Dawn Gibson

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The City of Langford extended sidewalk use permits, enabling restaurants and retail businesses to extend operations onto sidewalks, boulevards and other common areas, on a single permit for up to three years. The previous bylaw required businesses to renew their sidewalk use permit annually. (Black Press Media file)

Langford extends sidewalk use permits

Bylaw now allows businesses to renew sidewalk use permit after three years, rather than annually

The City of Langford extended sidewalk use permits, enabling restaurants and retail businesses to extend operations onto sidewalks, boulevards and other common areas, on a single permit for up to three years. The previous bylaw required businesses to renew their sidewalk use permit annually. (Black Press Media file)
In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)

Giant marine worms rising from burrows along Vancouver Island coast

Triggered by a lunar cue, the shallow water marine worms wiggle up into water column to mate

In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)
Farmers markets across the region are getting their ducks in a row for opening day. Most are planning a modified setup to continue complying with provincial health restrictions. (Photo courtesy of the Goldstream Market)

West Shore and Sooke farmers’ markets gear up for opening day

Markets modified to comply with health restrictions

Farmers markets across the region are getting their ducks in a row for opening day. Most are planning a modified setup to continue complying with provincial health restrictions. (Photo courtesy of the Goldstream Market)
From April 2 to 5, multiple food vendors will set up at the Lagoon Beach along Ocean Boulevard, and residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy some local cuisine amongst the beautiful scenery. (Black Press Media file)

Colwood hosts food trucks at Lagoon Beach over long weekend

Community members invited to enjoy sunshine, scenery and tasty food

From April 2 to 5, multiple food vendors will set up at the Lagoon Beach along Ocean Boulevard, and residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy some local cuisine amongst the beautiful scenery. (Black Press Media file)
The Hudson Place 2 development, located at 1700 Blanshard St., received a $100-million loan from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The affordable housing development by Townline Homes will feature 247 multi-residential units. (Photo courtesy of Townline Homes)

Government announces $100-million loan towards Victoria affordable housing project

Townline Homes development will feature 245 multi-residential units

The Hudson Place 2 development, located at 1700 Blanshard St., received a $100-million loan from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The affordable housing development by Townline Homes will feature 247 multi-residential units. (Photo courtesy of Townline Homes)
Renovations at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood are progressing, as the arena floor and stands have been fully removed and will be replaced. The $1.9 million project is expected to be complete by June. (Photo courtesy of Grant Brown)

PHOTOS: Renovations on schedule at Juan de Fuca Rec Centre in Colwood

New rink, child care centre both expected to be complete in June

Renovations at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood are progressing, as the arena floor and stands have been fully removed and will be replaced. The $1.9 million project is expected to be complete by June. (Photo courtesy of Grant Brown)
The Juan de Fuca Skating Club is offering spring skating from April 5 to May 21 at the Westhills Arena in Langford. Registration is now open, which can be done online, and programs are being provided to skaters of all levels. (Photo courtesy of Leslee Rushton)

Juan de Fuca Skating Club glides into spring skating

West Shore youth compete in virtual regional competition

The Juan de Fuca Skating Club is offering spring skating from April 5 to May 21 at the Westhills Arena in Langford. Registration is now open, which can be done online, and programs are being provided to skaters of all levels. (Photo courtesy of Leslee Rushton)
West Shore RCMP has four officers specially trained as Drug Recognition Experts. The required training to receive this title is a three-week intensive course, which West Shore Cst. John Taylor completed three years ago. (Photo courtesy of the RCMP)

A glimpse into the role of a Drug Recognition Expert at West Shore RCMP

Police department has four officers specially trained in drug recognition

West Shore RCMP has four officers specially trained as Drug Recognition Experts. The required training to receive this title is a three-week intensive course, which West Shore Cst. John Taylor completed three years ago. (Photo courtesy of the RCMP)
Students in the outdoor education class at Belmont Secondary School spent a day removing broom from the small forest area near the school. Read story, page A7. (Photo courtesy of Dayna Christ-Rowling)

Langford students banish broom from forest at Belmont Secondary School

Students uncovered native plants being compromised by the invasive species

Students in the outdoor education class at Belmont Secondary School spent a day removing broom from the small forest area near the school. Read story, page A7. (Photo courtesy of Dayna Christ-Rowling)
Traffic was slowed Wednesday morning on Goldstream Avenue, due to a motor vehicle accident at the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway intersection. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Crash on Goldstream Avenue slows morning traffic in Langford

Emergency crews remove white van from Veterans Memorial Parkway and Goldstream intersection

Traffic was slowed Wednesday morning on Goldstream Avenue, due to a motor vehicle accident at the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway intersection. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)
Metchosin and Sc’ianew First Nation recently received a grant for $280,000. (Metchosin Fire Department Facebook)

Metchosin and Beecher Bay First Nation receive substantial grant

$280,000 grant designated for FireSmart community projects and emergency supports

Metchosin and Sc’ianew First Nation recently received a grant for $280,000. (Metchosin Fire Department Facebook)
Neill Wakefield, who appeared primarily on season five of the Discovery Channel TV show Highway Thru Hell, recently moved to Langford with his wife Tiffany. The couple, who met through the towing industry and married four years ago, wanted to settle here to live closer to family. (Photo courtesy of Neill Wakefield)

Highway Thru Hell tow truck driver shifts gears, moves to Langford

Neill Wakefield and wife, Tiffany, settle on West Shore to be closer to family

Neill Wakefield, who appeared primarily on season five of the Discovery Channel TV show Highway Thru Hell, recently moved to Langford with his wife Tiffany. The couple, who met through the towing industry and married four years ago, wanted to settle here to live closer to family. (Photo courtesy of Neill Wakefield)
Const. Alex Bérubé, media relations officer with the West Shore RCMP, says he has encountered a wide-range of unusual incidents where people have been driving while distracted. (Shutterstock)

Caught in the act: West Shore RCMP share drivers’ bizarre distractions

Shaving, eating cereal, even removing a bra are just some of the infractions observed by police

Const. Alex Bérubé, media relations officer with the West Shore RCMP, says he has encountered a wide-range of unusual incidents where people have been driving while distracted. (Shutterstock)
Kara Sorensen was diagnosed with lung cancer in July, after experiencing symptoms of discomfort in her left shoulder. An online auction has been started on Sorensen’s behalf, and has so far raised over $10,000 of it’s $20,000 goal. (Photo courtesy of Karen Sorensen)

Auction helps fund cancer treatment for Metchosin woman

Online auction runs until March 20, features wide variety of unique gifts to bid on

Kara Sorensen was diagnosed with lung cancer in July, after experiencing symptoms of discomfort in her left shoulder. An online auction has been started on Sorensen’s behalf, and has so far raised over $10,000 of it’s $20,000 goal. (Photo courtesy of Karen Sorensen)
The new Meadow Park Green playground in Royal Bay is constructed of timber, which includes a zip-line, climbing structures, swings, slides, a bridge and a colourful play mound. Colwood mayor Rob Martin, members of council, GableCraft staff and their children celebrated the park’s grand opening this week. (Photo contributed/Jennifer Callioux)

PHOTOS: Colwood celebrates grand opening of unique playground in Royal Bay

Meadow Park Green playground is made of timber; fits with community’s natural feel

The new Meadow Park Green playground in Royal Bay is constructed of timber, which includes a zip-line, climbing structures, swings, slides, a bridge and a colourful play mound. Colwood mayor Rob Martin, members of council, GableCraft staff and their children celebrated the park’s grand opening this week. (Photo contributed/Jennifer Callioux)
Metchosin council passed a bylaw at a March 15 public hearing, which will limit further subdivision of a 40-acre portion of the Boys & Girls Club property. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria Foundation told council the decision to pass the bylaw will devalue the land, and force the organization to seek a developer and fast-track subdivision of the property. (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin adopts bylaw to limit subdivision of Boys & Girls Club property

Club representative says bylaw will fast-track development of the land

Metchosin council passed a bylaw at a March 15 public hearing, which will limit further subdivision of a 40-acre portion of the Boys & Girls Club property. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria Foundation told council the decision to pass the bylaw will devalue the land, and force the organization to seek a developer and fast-track subdivision of the property. (Black Press Media file photo)
Four imaginative community projects are getting a financial boost through the City of Colwood. The funds are given through the Create Places Colwood Grant, which is aimed to bring neighbours together and renew community pride through transforming spaces creatively. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Colwood funds creative projects, from Indigenous plant garden to Emily Carr info

Four imaginative community projects get a financial boost

Four imaginative community projects are getting a financial boost through the City of Colwood. The funds are given through the Create Places Colwood Grant, which is aimed to bring neighbours together and renew community pride through transforming spaces creatively. (Black Press Media File Photo)
Members of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church enjoyed mass from their vehicles Tuesday morning on Goldstream Avenue. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Drive-in church service brings colour to Langford morning

Our Lady of the Rosary members enjoy mass from their vehicles Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

Members of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church enjoyed mass from their vehicles Tuesday morning on Goldstream Avenue. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)
B.C. scientist and UBC professor Shannon Berch has been leading a project that looks closely at what types of fungi grow on the roots of Garry oak trees. Metchosin mycologist Andy MacKinnon, who has been helping with the study, shared that samples from the roots of Garry oaks have revealed some species which don’t match any other in published literature. This suggests they may have found some species that are new to science. (Photo by Shlomo Shalev/Unsplash)

B.C. scientists discover potential new mushroom species on Garry oak roots

Metchosin mycologist Andy MacKinnon co-authored a new book on fungi, to be released in summer

B.C. scientist and UBC professor Shannon Berch has been leading a project that looks closely at what types of fungi grow on the roots of Garry oak trees. Metchosin mycologist Andy MacKinnon, who has been helping with the study, shared that samples from the roots of Garry oaks have revealed some species which don’t match any other in published literature. This suggests they may have found some species that are new to science. (Photo by Shlomo Shalev/Unsplash)
Wild ARC has been sharing tips on how homeowners can protect wildlife as they do spring cleaning and yard work. Eastern cottontail rabbits (pictured above) build their nests in shallow grooves in the ground, using a mixture of fur and dry grass. (Photo from Wild ARC Facebook page)

Nesting season is upon us: Wild ARC urges caution when doing spring cleaning

Wild ARC and BC SPCA offer tips on how homeowners can keep wildlife safe

Wild ARC has been sharing tips on how homeowners can protect wildlife as they do spring cleaning and yard work. Eastern cottontail rabbits (pictured above) build their nests in shallow grooves in the ground, using a mixture of fur and dry grass. (Photo from Wild ARC Facebook page)